Taking exception to some sections of society opposing demand for a Circuit Bench of the Karnataka High Court in Mangaluru, MLA of Mangaluru City South D. Vedavyas Kamath said on Thursday that the demand of Mangaluru Bar Association for the Bench is valid one and he will continue to support it.

Addressing presspersons, the MLA said that Mangaluru is an ideal location for opening the Bench as it has rail, road and aviation connectivity. The old Deputy Commissioner’s office building is suitable for establishing the bench.

“The need of the hour is to strengthen the demand. A situation has arisen where leaders of all political parties, MLAs, MLCs, MP, civil society will have to come together to take forward the demand with unity,” Mr. Kamath said.

Welcoming the recent letter of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Vibhu Bakhru requesting that he consider the demand to set up a Circuit Bench of the High Court in Mangaluru, the MLA said that the resolve of all in the coastal belt is to get the Circuit Bench to Mangaluru.

The MLA said that the demand of the association for the Bench in Mangaluru is justifiable from many angles.

Mr. Kamath said that in 2024, he had written to the Chief Minister, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs requesting to do the needful for opening the Bench in the city. He had also raised the matter in the Legislative Assembly.

In his September 26, 2024 letter to Mr. Siddaramaiah, the MLA said that if the bench is opened in Mangaluru, it will help people of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and Kodagu. “Of about 30% of cases filed in the high court from the five districts, 20% of cases are from Dakshina Kannada,” the letter said.

The permanent bench of the High Court can be established in the six acre land of the district jail after the jail is shifted to the outskirts of the city near Konaje, the letter said.